Post by Deleted on May 7, 2022 16:10:51 GMT -5
SAMUEL CHAL WHITT
33 / ATTORNEY / GIFTED / MARRIED / APPLICATION
- - ABOUT
Samuel is gifted, from a mixed family wherein some members were gifted and some weren't; he's had his powers since childhood and has spent that time learning how to control them, folding them into his notion of self-control so that he never has power lapses and doesn't use them frivolously. It was also stressed to him the importance of not speaking of them within mixed company, so he has precious few outlets for discussion; his spouse and his closest friend know, of course. He suffers from diagnosed Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, for which he is receiving treatment, but which affects every facet of his personality and his life.
What can be said about Samuel? To start, he's formal and introverted, so much so that it must be stressed that his name is Samuel, not Sam. Never call him "Sam."
He has a few physical and behavioral aspects that immediately capture the notice of other people and might set him apart. The most glaring of which are the gloves that he wears at all times - indoors and outdoors, regardless of weather - and his blunted affect. He rarely smiles. He doesn't like to be touched or to touch other people; he won't shake hands unless forced to, and he would run and hide before accepting even a brief hug from a stranger. He is also very tall and often stands above other people in a room with him and he rarely dresses casually. He is highly ethical and possesses an abundance of compassion for the downtrodden. He grew up in a small city in Maine and speaks with the nasally regional accent of northern New England. He lived in California for college, so this hasn't been as much of a culture shock as it would have been otherwise.
He and his husband live in the Westhook neighborhood in a comfortable home with an immaculate yard and a "no soliciting" sign in front of the door. Thomas gets along with all of the neighbors and Samuel tries to make an appearance here and there. He and his closest friend operate a small law firm, The Law Offices of Rinaldi and Whitt, in downtown Los Eurosia, where they practice criminal defense, LGBT law, some plaintiff civil, and estate planning.
- - PLATONIC
Samuel struggles with social interaction and left to his own devices, he avoids small talk and group settings. He has a lot of mannerisms that mark him as eccentric or different, and while he can be judgmental, he doesn't like standing out so much. It makes him uncomfortable and provides motivation for him to keep to himself. However, since moving out to California, he has made a concerted effort to try. For his husband, for his therapist, for the reputation of the law firm.
There are a few places where he can be found attempting to socialize, almost always in the company of his spouse or his law partner, depending on setting. He and Thomas attend activities with the LGBT center, often picnics and potlucks, an MSM support group, and games nights. His husband is a professor, and Samuel can be found around the campus picking him up from work sometimes or attending faculty events to hang off Thomas's arm for the night as the devoted spouse. He attends services regularly and he joined a monthly book club which is a big step for him. He and his legal partner, Christopher, attend Bar Association events with other lawyers, and sometimes he's dragged to the gym to play racquetball. Both Thomas and Christopher (NPCs at present) are friendly and more outgoing than Samuel is, so it's quite possible to have make acquaintances through them first. "Oh, I've heard so much about you."
Samuel can be blunt and taciturn, but he isn't mean. He doesn't go out of his way to make other people uncomfortable, and he notices quickly when another person is uncomfortable in return. He's most likely to befriend other introverts, those who aren't touchy-feely and can respect physical and emotional boundaries without taking offense when those walls are erected. He's a loyal and generous friend, someone who always keeps his promises and demonstrates his affection through gifts and acts of service. If you need a friend who will drive you to the airport and get you there with plenty of time to spare? Call Samuel. If you want recommendations for all of the vegetarian restaurants in town? Call Samuel.
- - ANTAGONISTIC
Just as Samuel doesn't seek out company, he doesn't seek out enemies. Such attempts at avoidance are not enough to repel animosity. He rubs many people the wrong way because of his disregard for certain social expectations, specifically casual relationships, emotional sharing, and small talk. It's possible that he wasn't as tactful as he should have been in any number of situations which has caused someone upset. It's possible that, as his neighbor, he refused to participate in some community activity which upset the head count. Or that he's complained to you, multiple times, about the fact that your Christmas lights are still up and operative after January 1st. It's quite possible that the government attorneys that have lost to him in court aren't fond of him; he keeps them to the highest ethical standards and has filed complaints before. He is strictly law-abiding and doesn't run afoul of law enforcement to the best of his ability, but if he finds himself on the radar of anti-gifted groups, antagonism is to be expected.
- - ROMANTIC
Samuel is happily married and monogamous. He didn't date around before meeting his husband, and he wouldn't recognize flirtation in the first place. From an OOC perspective, an unrequited crush plot would be hilarious to me.
- - PLOT HOOKS
I realize that, at first blush, it might seem difficult to jump in with Samuel, but OOC, I am very friendly and happy to throw him into uncomfortable situations as needed; as well, he is trying to socialize more.
- Clients - Samuel is a highly respected attorney, who excels in his tag-team format with his partner where he does the bulk of the paperwork and second-seats during trials. Due to the catch-all nature of their practice, their clientele runt he gamut of socioeconomic class and neede services. It's possible that he's defended a character on a wrongful arrest, or a DWI, or he helped to draft your character's will, or he sued on their behalf for wrongful discrimination. If another plot, perhaps one intersecting with the combat and hunting aspects of the site plot, requires navigating the legal system, then Samuel is at your service.
- Therapist - Samuel has been receiving weekly therapy for his OCPD, and if anyone has a therapist character, this is an automatic patient-provider relationship for plots.
- Book Club! Samuel belongs to a book club through the local library and the only requirements for joining are to be an adult and then to read the book and show up for the monthly meetings. This is a good, low-key way to make friends.
- The ninth circle of Hell for Samuel is grocery shopping; he hates it. He hates everything about it. If someone wants to run into him at his most vulnerable, this is the perfect opportunity.